10 Welcome Pack ideas for short lets

Providing a holiday rental property is more than just offering a place to stay.

It's about creating the right experience, and this doesn't just happen. It means planning how to manage your guests.  

Why make a Welcome Pack?

When guests arrive at holiday rentals, they don’t want to arrive at a sterile hotel but instead, they want to feel at home.

No matter whether you rent a holiday cottage by the sea, a short-let city apartment or a vacation holiday home in the hills, a well-thought-out Welcome Pack or Welcome Basket can provide a great impression.

Did we mention that this will work towards earning you some great reviews, and getting repeat bookings too? Double results!

Personalising your Welcome Pack

Creating holiday rental guest relationships is important, and a great way to do this is to include a welcoming note.

The goal is to supplement the information in your Guest Area with a personal warm welcome.

We asked some of our clients to share what they include in their standard Welcome Pack. Here are their recommendations.

10 Welcome Pack ideas

1. A hygiene pack of shampoo and soaps. Consider local producers and discuss possible collaborations to promote each other.
2. A bottle of water in the refrigerator. If you're reducing plastic, then a water filter jug is a good alternative.
3. A bottle of wine, Champagne, or fruit juice. Tailor this to the type of guest, as couples, families with small children, and business travellers all have different tastes. Be aware of local laws on providing alcohol.
4. Chocolate. Most people enjoy chocolate, so this is always a winner. If there are children coming too, why not include a little something for them too?!
5. Local products promote the area and support other small businesses. Bread and fruit are popular ideas for the welcome pack.
6. A candle or a postcard is a popular option or a handmade item from a local artisan. Many take these home as gifts for family and a souvenir for your guests. If you can find products that link and remind guests of your property, then all the better.
7. Tea, coffee, sugar, and milk are always a welcome sight in any holiday let and are often expected as standard. 
8. A discount in a local cafe or restaurant. Again, work with your local businesses to find quality companies who will offer your guest a discount in return for your recommendation. 
9. In-season flowers are perfect to set the scene of a homely home. 
10. Earplugs or eye masks are helpful for noisy areas. Guests who enjoy a good night's sleep are happier guests.

Seasonal Welcome Packs

Take into account the time of year, as this could affect what you include.

Once you have attracted visitors during the Autumn months, swap out the cold drinks and replace them with hot chocolate packs!

And back in the summer season, you could recommend places with terraces and gardens, and places with great ice cream!

Personalise your Welcome Packs

Once you have nailed what to include in your standard Welcome Pack, you may start to consider how to take this a step further.

One way is to personalise the contents by the type of guest that you attract. 

If you are attracting couples to your short let apartment for a honeymoon or an anniversary, champagne and flowers are classic.

If your short let home attracts families, a fruit juice, a colouring-in book with pencils and maybe a bedtime story would be much appreciated.

If your guests are visiting with an Assistance or Guide Dog, perhaps include a Nylabone chew treat for them too!

Welcome Pack presentation

For any basic Welcome Pack, the presentation is important!

Take time to consider how it looks, and look for inspiration on places like Pinterest.

A Welcome Pack can improve the guest experience, as all experiences matter in this amazing self-catering industry!

Want to improve your guest experience? 

Bookster is dedicated to helping property managers from across the globe improve their businesses.

For supporting your guests we help with:

• A dedicated Guest Area
• Automated notification emails 
• Automated payment and damage deposit collection and refunds processes
• Marketing email suite to create automated and personalised emails to build relationships
• Beautiful Instant Websites to show off your properties
• Add value to your services with Promo codes, discounts, and providing extra services for free or a charge.

---

Create welcome packs for your guests

Creating welcome packs requires planning and thought, and can add lasting value to your guest experience, and to attracting more bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes in a holiday cottage welcome pack?

What you include in your holiday cottage welcome pack will depend on your business and who your guests are.
1. Look at the types of guests that visit you? Families, couples, business travellers, retirees?
2. Why do they visit your holiday home? Romantic getaways, art festivals, family breaks?
3. What products are your guests interested in? Childrens activity books, locally produced foods, homemade soaps?
4. What products can you source at a price that fits your budget?
5. Can you supply these products at every changeover?
6. Will you charge extra for these products and make a profit or include them in your nightly rate?